Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has already explained why Gabriel Martinelli has not featured in any of his matchday squads this season, as Al Hilal reportedly pursue a deal for the Brazilian.
After a surprise omission against Manchester City in the Community Shield, eyebrows were raised once again when the Gunners began the defence of their Premier League crown on Friday night against newly-promoted Coventry City.
Although Arteta made two changes to the side that started at Wembley, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka replacing Bruno Guimaraes and Noni Madueke, there was to be no recall for Martinelli. The forward was one of several senior players left out of the matchday squad, along with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson.
Premier League squad rules
There are no suggestions that Martinelli is injured, rather his omission is down to Premier League rules stipulating that teams are only to name a 20-player squad on matchdays, a ruling that Arteta has requested changes.
“I've been trying to persuade the Premier League and the clubs to be able to extend the number of players that we can have, especially the outfield players in the squads because we play more and more games and the load is unreal, and not giving the chance to those players to be able to be here to participate because maybe it demands the qualities of one of those players and we don't have them available,” the Spaniard said after the Man City win.
“It’s just a shame so it's the most difficult part of the job but there's nothing to do with that, it's just a fact that we can bring 18 outfield players and we believe that for today's game these were the options that we needed, especially with the physical condition of certain players.”
Al Hilal transfer talks
Speculation over Martinelli’s future is set to ramp up ahead of transfer Deadline Day as the Athletic have reported that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are in talks with Arsenal over a transfer. Martinelli is said to be open to the switch after turning down interest from Galatasaray and is valued at £60million by the Gunners.
The Brazilian has one year left on his contract in north London, though Arsenal have the option to extend that by a further 12 months and Standard Sport have previously reported he is a player the club would be open to selling for the right price this summer.
